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There have been no changes to the National Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SPS and NHS since 2011 however; we have established a Programme of Work which will clarify roles and responsibilities of partners for Health and Social Care in Prisons, which will be reflected in a refreshed MOU in due course.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

Construction of the new facilities is scheduled to begin in the Summer of 2019 with completion timetabled for Autumn 2020. All of the new facilities i.e. Women’s National Facility, and the Community Custody Units in Glasgow and Dundee are expected to be operational by the end of 2020.

SPS is currently in the process of procuring contractor(s) to carry out the construction work.

Transport Scotland is responsible for the electronic gantries and variable message signs (VMS) that provide a range of information to drivers on Scotland’s motorways. Day-to-day operation of these gantries and VMS is the responsibility of the Traffic Scotland service which operates the trunk road Intelligent Transport System on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Based at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre at South Queensferry, Traffic Scotland develops and displays the content of the VMS which play a vital role in promoting the safe and efficient operation of the road network by providing road users with information on current incidents and future events that may affect their journey, alongside safety and other relevant messages to allow them to make informed judgements on diversion, or alternative routes for travel. These messages are created from information gathered from stakeholders including Police Scotland, trunk road operating companies, bridge managers, the Met Office, and local authorities.

When the VMS are not being used to display active incident information, the signs can be used to present background messages. These background messages have been developed in consultation with a number of key stakeholders and are linked to known problems which affect the safe and efficient operation of the trunk road network. For example, safety messages are derived from accident statistics and our strategic road safety plan and messages encouraging the use of public transport are targeted at our most congested corridors.

The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission’s proposals for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy by 2050. We contributed to the consultation on this strategy, sharing our experience and urging the EU to maintain its leadership. We now look forward to the strategic long-term vision set out by the Commission being translated into legally binding emissions reduction targets and credible policies to deliver on these.

The EU has been a key player in international efforts to secure a global, legally-binding agreement to address climate change. Targets set by the European Commission have played a defining role in stimulating the huge growth in renewable energy in Scotland. This growth has seen significant inward investment flows into Scotland and been instrumental in the significant decarbonisation of our power sector.

The Climate Change Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament in May includes emissions reduction targets for 2020, 2030 and 2040 that are the most stretching statutory targets for these years of any country in the world. The targets in the Bill also mean that Scotland will be carbon neutral by 2050. The Scottish Government wants to go further and achieve net-zero emissions for all greenhouse gases as soon as possible. We’ll set a target date for this as soon as it can be done credibly and responsibly. The independent advice on targets we have requested from the UK Committee on Climate Change next Spring will consider whether even more can now be done in Scotland, including in light of the European Commission’s current proposals.

Community Justice Scotland currently has 8 Board members which is the maximum number permitted by legislation. A recruitment exercise to replace the Chair who resigned on 13 September 2018 is expected to conclude in Spring 2019.

Information Services Division publishes information in relation to waiting times for Local Delivery Plan Standards and HEAT standards. Data for the majority of standards are not routinely broken down by the community and prison, including the psychological therapies HEAT access target. Information is reported separately for the LDP standard on access to drug and alcohol treatment services. This information is available here: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Publications/2018-09-25/2018-09-25-DATWT-Report.pdf

We are currently working with the Chief Officers of Integration Authorities on the development of this commitment and who will make decisions on the allocation of the additional workers to these key settings in consultation with their partners.

As part of our discussions with the Chief Officers, we are also working on putting in place a reporting framework which will capture information on workforce allocation, location of workforce and details on the trajectory toward the 800 total by 2021-22. An update on this together with their projections can be provided in early 2019.

The Scottish Government has had no direct discussions with Destination Orkney. Our support for tourism businesses is delivered through VisitScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise.

I'd like to wish all the best to those attending Orkney’s first ever ‘Tourism Week’ this week and for Destination Orkney’s annual Tourism Summit tomorrow. VisitScotland’s Director of Industry & Destination Development will be speaking.

The data requested is not held centrally. The recruitment and training of Special Constables is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.

The MV Hamnavoe will be unavailable for five days in January whilst the vessel undergoes an essential period of dry dock. Using their best endeavours, the operator, Serco NorthLink Ferries, has searched the open market for a replacement passenger vessel. However due to the scarcity of available tonnage and the unique vessel and port configurations, a like for like replacement is not available. Consequently, a freight vessel will provide relief cover for freight traffic during this short period.